Stimulating Solar

What: A 750-kilowatt solar array inverter replacement at a San Diego naval base; in addition, currently Synergy Electric has been awarded four separate photovoltaic and communications projects totaling $16 million and all are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Project details: Synergy Electric will replace three obsolete and unreliable solar power inverters with two new highly efficient, latest-generation inverters at Naval Base Coronado, San Diego. The electrical contractor also will provide new conductors, replace out-of-date components that are not up to today’s codes and standards, add system monitoring capabilities, replace defective solar modules, and provide a new enclosure around the equipment.

Expected completion date: June 2010

Contract amount: $692,307

How did Synergy get involved in the project? Synergy Electric has been engaged in military work since the company was developed in 1990. Synergy Electric became heavily involved in pier work in the San Diego area and has been recognized as a leader in electrical construction within the military sector.

“I believe, because of our presence on all the local bases, including Arizona and Nevada, we have been ‘in the know,’ with bidding opportunities,” said Diane Keltner, president of Synergy Electric.

Tell us your best stimulus package story about a project involving American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. You may include a photo that represents your story. Send your story and photo to Recharging the Industry Editor, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 1100, Bethesda, MD 20814-5372; e-mail ecmag@necanet.org; or use the online submission tool at www.ecmag.com/RechargingTheIndustry.

Valuable prizes for submissions and printed stories! Everyone who sends in a story will receive a Woodhead “Rebuilding America Together” T-shirt. Every person who has a story published in “Recharging the Industry” will receive a Woodhead Solderless Terminal Tester Kit ($80 value). In addition, at the end of every quarter, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR will draw a random winner from all submissions. That person will receive a Woodhead Lighting Prize Package ($500 value).